Following a campaign by the Twentieth Century Society in 2022, the iconic Richard Dunn Sports Centre in Bradford was saved from demolition with a Grade II listing. Originally delivered by the local authority architects department in 1978, the centre’s pioneering ‘big top’ is a landmark on the city skyline but had closed in 2019 due to rising costs. Since then, the brutalist building has been subject to arson attacks and vandalism and its future remains uncertain. 

 

In partnership with the Twentieth Century Society – and with expert advice from the UK skate and action sports community – we have created a proposal to reinvent the modernist city landmark as a national centre for skateboarding & action sports.

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The design is rooted in finding sustainable new purpose for the brutalist structure with a focus on celebrating heritage and providing young people locally with opportunity and fulfilment through sport.

 

Our proposals retain the iconic tented roof and elliptical concrete arches, adapting existing interior spaces occupied by the empty pool and sports spaces to house a unique 1,475sqm indoor/outdoor skating arena, a 555m concrete bowl, 297smq of climbing walls, an 832sqm café and studio suites to create a versatile multi-use facility.

 

Activities are designed to cater for all ages with training facilities for skateboard, BMX, scooter, parkour, bouldering and dance. 800sqm of studio spaces would support the development of digital skills including photography, video and broadcast production. Hospitality and private hire spaces are included to create additional revenue for parties, away days and school visits. 

 

A welcoming approach is created with picnic tables, food kiosks and wildflower planting as well as enhanced pedestrian connectivity with the neighbouring Muff Field Cricket Club and Sunny Bank Road allotments.

 

The proposals are launched as Bradford gears up for its role as the UK’s City of Culture for 2025, an established catalyst for creative place making and culture-led regeneration. As the UK’s youngest city - with 29% of the population under 20 – we hope this reinvention of a local icon can create opportunity and aspiration for Bradford’s future generations. 

 

As featured in The Guardian, you can see the Twentieth Century Society’s full press release here.

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